RAI THISTLETHWAYTE (THIRSTY MERC)

Rai is a one of Australia’s most respected musical talents: a highly accomplished pianist, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. As a songwriter, he has been nominated for APRA Song of The Year. His band Thirsty Merc has sold over 250,000 albums and has been nominated for 5 ARIA awards.

Rai’s composition ‘In The Summertime’ has been the theme song to internationally acclaimed Aussie TV show ‘Bondi Rescue’ for 11 consecutive seasons.

Aside from his work in Rock and Pop, Rai performs as a solo artist, basing his performances around his first instrument – the piano – and his love of Jazz, Soul, and Funk music. He has released 4 solo EPs and has toured extensively in Australia and the U.S. since 2012. Some of his notable collaborations have been with with ARIA award-winning guitarist James Muller, Trumpeter James Morrison, and bassist Christian McBride (Sting, Wynton Marsalis band).